Comprehensive Design – Â鶹ĘÓƵ Mon, 17 Nov 2025 21:44:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/cropped-favicon_logo-32x32.jpg Comprehensive Design – Â鶹ĘÓƵ 32 32 Parks & Recreation: Designing Accessible Playgrounds /projects/parks-recreation-designing-accessible-playgrounds/ /projects/parks-recreation-designing-accessible-playgrounds/#respond Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:38:43 +0000 https://portal.epicn.org/case-stories/parks-recreation-designing-accessible-playgrounds/ Read More... from Parks & Recreation: Designing Accessible Playgrounds

]]> With a need for an inclusive recreational space that fosters community connection while providing an attraction for visitors, HandUp OC will partner with the School of Art, Architecture, and Design to develop plans and assist with securing resources for the construction of an accessible playground as well as develop promotional materials to increase awareness about disability needs in the community.

]]> The Black Vulture Project will collaborate with the School of Art, Architecture, and Design to develop low-cost, innovative, and sustainable architectural designs as well as budgeting and fundraising plans.

]]> Orange County is a rural southern Indiana county comprising four incorporated towns and a number of unincorporated communities. Residents are intent on celebrating the county’s industrial roots, natural beauty, and historic architecture while embracing and preparing for the future. Local progress is driven in large part by “grassroots cooperative leadership” (), while legal and medical non-profits provide essential communal services. This community-oriented mentality lends itself to innovative partnerships between various actors working towards common goals in areas like infrastructure, culture, tourism, and healthcare. 

Local nonprofit imagines an accessible family space

HandUp OC is a nonprofit which aims to better the lives of Orange County citizens by improving personal and community health, fostering connections, and teaching valuable life skills. The organization sponsors local events, hosts clothing/food drives and community meetings, and provides vital resources for residents. HandUp OC noticed the absence of an inclusive recreational community space in Orange County. In line with its mission, the organization sought to build a fully accessible playground at Jaycee Park in Paoli with the potential to attract both local and visiting families.

Student designers tackle concept development and project funding

Moving forward, HandUp OC’s Dessica Albertson partnered with the Sustaining Hoosier Communities (SHC) program at Indiana University. This project involved Professor Jon Racek’s introduction to comprehensive design course in the School of Art, Architecture, and Design. Racek challenged his students to take a leadership role on the playground project at the planning stage. Participants worked to design the play structure, seek out funding opportunities, and develop PR materials in anticipation of its completion.

Providing local youth with opportunities for compassionate play

The student designers involved in this collaboration made significant progress on an inspiring community project. Participants delivered actionable designs for a fully accessible playground and identified viable sources of funding and building material. They also created accompanying promotional materials to raise awareness about the need for accessible services and the unique challenges faced by disabled Orange County residents.

This project made important strides towards community building and youth development. HandsUp OC saw opportunity in Jaycee Park, reimagining the space as one for play and education. The new accessible structure could enrich the lives of local families. 

Sustaining Hoosier Communities Contact Info
Jane Rogan
Sustaining Hoosier Communities Director
jrogan@indiana.edu
(812) 855-0568
https://shc.indiana.edu

Indiana University Faculty Contact Info
Jon Racek
jonracek@indiana.edu
(812) 855-5440

Read the full story of the partnership.

]]> Indiana University students design specialized housing unit /stories/indiana-university-students-design-specialized-housing-unit/ Tue, 18 May 2021 14:40:06 +0000 /?post_type=case_stories&p=4288 Read More... from Indiana University students design specialized housing unit

]]> Orange County is a rural southern Indiana county comprising four incorporated towns and a number of unincorporated communities. Residents are intent on celebrating the county’s industrial roots, natural beauty, and historic architecture while embracing and preparing for the future. Local progress is driven in large part by “grassroots cooperative leadership” (), while legal and medical non-profits provide essential communal services. This community-oriented mentality lends itself to innovative partnerships between various actors working towards common goals in areas like infrastructure, culture, tourism, and healthcare. 

Arts group seeks better housing for elderly, workforce

The Black Vulture Project is an arts group which works to improve Orange County residents’ access to the arts, “connect with the art community and host creators of all kinds” (). The group identified a lack of regional housing solutions for two key groups–– senior citizens who cannot afford or do not wish to live in nursing homes, and the local labor force. The Black Vulture Project wished to design workforce housing and aging in place housing so that more community members can enjoy the long term benefits of homeownership.

Students sketch innovative plans while balancing the numbers

This ambitious project found a home through the Sustaining Hoosier Communities (SHC) program at Indiana University. Moving forward, Tim Schmidt of Black Vulture partnered with Professor Jon Racek’s topical issues in collaborative design course in the School of Art, Architecture + Design. Students were challenged to design a reproducible, modest housing unit and explore realistic budget and fundraising options for construction. The project criteria prioritized sustainability and affordability, factors students carefully considered throughout the process.

Building affordable, planet-friendly houses 

Student participants applied their design expertise to a real world housing challenge. The architectural designs they developed are a model of low-cost, innovative, and sustainable housing. And the final concept is financially supported by a clear budget and actionable fundraising recommendations. This collaboration helped Orange County to reduce its regional housing needs.

These housing concepts demonstrate the potential of forward-thinking architecture. They will greatly benefit the elderly and working people of Orange County. By spearheading this collaboration, the Black Vulture Project demonstrated its commitment to social and economic justice. 

Sustaining Hoosier Communities Contact Info
Jane Rogan
Sustaining Hoosier Communities Director
jrogan@indiana.edu
(812) 855-0568
https://shc.indiana.edu

Indiana University Faculty Contact Info
Tim Schmidt
(317) 948-8358

Read the full story of the partnership.

]]>